6th December,2013

Ghana to face USA, Germany, and Portugal in Group G of 2014 World Cup

The Black Stars of Ghana have been drawn in a very difficult group at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The four-time African champions have been paired with USA, Germany, and Portugal.

Ghana will meet USA first on June 16, before taking on Germany five days later. The final group match will be against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on June 26.

Kwesi Appiah’s men have met USA in the last two World Cups and triumphed on both occasions.

However, three-time world champions, Germany beat Ghana at the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Black Stars made it to the knockout round in the last two tournaments and would be hoping to emulate that feat.

Spain will open their defence of the World Cup next year with a repeat of the 2010 final with Netherlands.

Vicente del Bosque's side will also face South American opponents Chile and Australia, who progressed from the Asia qualification competition, in Group B.

Hosts Brazil open the month-long showpiece on 12 June in Sao Paulo against Croatia in Group A, who qualified for the tournament after defeating Iceland in the play-offs.

The five-time winners will then play Mexico and Cameroon to decide who reaches the knockout stages.

Lionel Messi's Argentina are in Group F along with debutants Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran and Nigeria.

England are in a tough Group D. They open up against Italy, who knocked Roy Hodgson's side out of Euro 2012, 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Meanwhile, 1998 winners France, who defeated Ukraine in a dramatic play-off tie, will face neighbours Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras in Group E.

Belgium, fifth favourites with some bookmakers to win the World Cup, are in Group H with Russia, South Korea and Algeria.

And in Group C, Colombia, who came second in the South American qualifying group, will face Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.